John Murdock

The door to the cabin swung open roughly three minutes later, and in stepped the man she’d been waiting for. John Murdock He was a tall man with rugged good looks his skin tanned by his years at sea. His black hair was wild and unruly, and with his free hand he brushed his hair from his eyes. They were blue like the sea, and when his eyes met hers he nodded his greeting.

“Mr. Murdock.” she said greeting him.

“Capt’n” he said lowly.

Dressed in tall leather boots that rose to his knees, and red trousers white vest, and a fancy brown waistcoat he cut an impressive figure, every inch the image of the pirate he was. Topping this all off of course was the obligatory eye patch, which covered an injury that marred his otherwise unblemished good looks. He’d lost the eye in battle against a Spanish merchants ship that had surprised them at the last moment with hidden cannon that had let loose, and blown the rail along the aft end of the ship to splinters.

The ball that had done so was headed straight for her, and he’d dove in the midst of the barrage, pushing her to the deck, and taking a large piece of the ship’s rail in his left eye, destroying it, leaving him with a modest scar that ran from his right cheek back to his ear, and an empty socket now covered by a black leather patch. She owed him her life.

He was well armed for the duty ahead, with a cutlass hanging from a scabbard at his side, and a brace of pistols trust in his belt. He gave her a knowing smile, and set his broad brimmed hat atop his head.

“I take it this will be much as the last time we ran an errand of a similar nature on our last call.”

She nodded, and clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s right. I expect it will be a bit easier this time however.” Captain Flint walked past him and out of the cabin. He followed her up onto the deck, and then across the gangplank, and across into the bristling, crowded waterfront of Port Ruby. They walked together for several blocks, citizens, workers and sailors giving them wide berth, so as to avoid trouble. Then, Captain Flint pushed open the massive oak door to a small merchant’s shop. S. Roth, Curiosities read a sign over the doorway.

A small bespectacled man of perhaps sixty stood behind the counter, which was covered in ancient documents and maps of all sorts. Bottles full of various liquids, Boxes and chests containing compasses, charts and firearms lined the shelves. The shop was dimly lit, and there was much that could not be seen as well.

“I’m pleased to see you’ve returned Captain Flint. How might I be of service to you once again?” The slight man said as a shadow moved behind the two pirates. Murdock’s sword flashed, and a cry of pain pierced the air. Blood spilled on the floor, and a young sailor fell dead on the floor of the shop.

“Let’s have no more of that Mr. Roth. Now give me what is mine.” The Captain said in a voice tinged with irritation.